1. INCUBATION,
HATCHING, AND
BROODING
Dr. P. Ravikanth Reddy
MVSc, PhD
Guest Faculty
KBR College of Agriculture and Horticulture
Acharya NG Ranga Agricultural University
Dr. YSR Horticulture University
2. Principles of incubation
Temperature
Humidity
Turning of eggs
Position of eggs
Ventilation
Incubating and hatching
7. Temperature
First 18 days – 99.50F – 99.80F
Last 2 days - 980F – 990F
High – Accelerates growth rate – death
Low – Decreased g. rate – death
8. Humidity
Low humidity – evaporation of egg contents – small chick
High humidity – No evaporation of egg contents – Big chick
For pipping (Preventing beak sticking).
9. Setter – 60% RH
Hatcher – 70-75% RH
RH requirement depends upon the shell thickness,
shell quality, season of hatch, and age of breeding
flock.
Dry and Wet bulb thermometers
10. Air requirement
21% Oxygen
Tolerance level of CO2 in setter – 0.3% and Hatcher – 0.75%.
11. Position of eggs in incubator
1-19 days – Broader end up (Setter)
Last 2-3 days – Flat position (Hatcher)
Air cell for pulmonary respiration through beak
12. Turning of eggs
Every one hour from 1-19 days.
Yolk and white sticks with shell membranes.
13. Transfer of eggs to hatcher from setter
When 1% of eggs are slightly pipped in the setter.
Mostly on 19th day of incubation.
Air cell contains 15-16% O2 and 4% more CO2 – Therefore pips
out.
14. Disinfection - HCHO
Sexing of chicks – For separation of male and female chicks in
layers.
Grading of chicks – Physical characters
Vent sexing
20. Temp – 950F for first week and decreased 50F every week till it
reaches room temperature.
First 2 days – Maize
After that – Mash diet containing 20% CP, and 2800 Kcal ME.
Optimum spaces for feeders and waters.
Light is required for 24 hrs upto 8 weeks period.